Dyer cruises to victory in Orlando mayoral race

ORLANDO MAYOR

January 30, 2008|By Mark Schlueb, Sentinel Staff Writer

Buddy Dyer won his second full term as mayor of Orlando on Tuesday, an apparent affirmation of his focus on revitalizing downtown.

The City Council's District 2 race, meanwhile, headed for a Feb. 26 runoff between Belinda Ortiz and Tony Ortiz with nearly all votes counted. And in District 6, Commissioner Sam Ings easily beat back an opponent to keep his council seat.

In the mayor's race, Dyer carried 60.4 percent of the vote to hold off challenger Ken Mulvaney, a businessman and commercial landlord who came in second to Dyer in the same race four years ago. Mulvaney got 39.6 percent.

"I think it's the biggest margin I've ever had," said Dyer, who joined friends, family and supporters at a victory party at the Tap Room at Dubsdread in his College Park neighborhood. "I'm very humbled by the outpouring of support from the citizens of Orlando, and I pledge to continue working as hard as I can to make Orlando the best city in America."

Mulvaney, a Republican, hammered the incumbent on the city's crime problem, saying Orlando has become the "crime capital of Florida" under Dyer's leadership. He also promised to lower property taxes and accused Dyer of presiding over uncontrolled spending.

Dyer, a Democrat, battled back, pointing to his record of hiring more police officers and starting a gun-bounty program. He was low-key about one of his biggest accomplishments -- a $1.1 billion plan for a new downtown arena, performing-arts center and renovated Citrus Bowl.

Mulvaney, who spent the day greeting voters at polling places, could not be reached for comment after the results were tallied.

District 2

Residents of District 2 will have new leadership for the first time since Betty Wyman was elected to the City Council in 1992. Wyman decided to retire. But the winner won't be known until a runoff next month.

On Tuesday, Tony Ortiz won 38.4 percent of the vote, Belinda Ortiz drew 34.2 percent, and Dave Blackwood carried 27.5 percent. A runoff is required between the top two finishers if no single candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote.

"I'm thankful to God, and I'm thankful to the community," said Tony Ortiz, who was with supporters at Ventura Country Club. "The community knows the district needs service, and they know I can provide it."

The race was the most active of any of Orlando's elections, with all three candidates walking neighborhoods and campaigning for a full year.

Both Ortizes, who are no relation, and neighborhood advocate Blackwood all focused on the need for more economic development along major corridors such as Semoran Boulevard and Curry Ford Road.

Tony Ortiz spent 14 years with the Orlando Police Department, including time as the agency's liaison to District 2, assigned to Wyman's office. He touted that experience during the campaign.

Belinda Ortiz also ran on her experience. She used to work for Orange County, including time in the business development office and as an aide to then-County Commissioner Mary I. Johnson.

"We understood early on that three individuals in the race makes it hard to get a majority," said Belinda Ortiz, who gathered with supporters at CafM-i Madrid. "I've run a very clean and positive campaign, and we're going to continue to do that. They haven't seen anything yet."

Both candidates said they intend to seek Blackwood's endorsement.

District 6

Ings won his first full term in office with 72.4 percent of the vote to Marcus Robinson's 27.6 percent. Until now, Ings had won only special elections to replace former Commissioner Ernest Page, convicted on corruption charges.

Ings, a retired Orlando police officer, said his time on the City Council has brought a greater focus on crime. He has brought a new police substation to the district and promised to fight for another.

Robinson, an insurance account executive, pointed to the city's crime rate and said Ings already should have made a difference.

"I'm thrilled because I've been honored to serve the people of District 6," Ings said. "They are going to see even more exciting things from us in the next four years."